civilized

1 of 2

adjective

civ·​i·​lized ˈsi-və-ˌlīzd 

: characteristic of a state of civilization

civilized society

especially : characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint

civilized

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of civilize

Synonyms of civilized

Adjective

• cultured
• polished
• accomplished

Examples of civilized in a Sentence

Adjective

A civilized society must respond to crime with fairness and justice.

Stop yelling. We have to be more civilized about this.

Try to act like a civilized human being!

a civilized way to spend the evening

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Leave it in its normal mode and the SQ5 behaves like a civilized luxury crossover. — New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026

The car may be more civilized than its predecessors, but its mill is still expected to produce up to 900 hp and redline at 9,000 rpm. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026

Call of the Wild is a field study pitting the civilized against the atavistic. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

Teddy Roosevelt exhorted a nation of effeminate, civilized men to sally forth into the wild and reclaim their natural vitality. — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing civilized

• civilized world
• hyper-civilized
• ultra-civilized

Rhymes for civilized

• acclimatized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised
• capitalized